I loathe Funko, but I admit... even I own 2 of these .
They are really fun to look at. I even think the packaging looks pretty good.
But, I'll bet someone here will have an aneurysm to see them mixed with legit sofubi:

I mean...that Metaluna is pretty damn pretty. Those metallics are mighty clean, even for Funko. And I’m a sucker for almost anything Creature From the Black Lagoon. I think it’s been mentioned here before, but I’d say it’s oretty obvious the Hikari line is taken care of much more diligently than the average Pop trash that’s out there. These two fit right in to my eyes.

I mean...that Metaluna is pretty damn pretty. Those metallics are mighty clean, even for Funko. And I’m a sucker for almost anything Creature From the Black Lagoon. I think it’s been mentioned here before, but I’d say it’s oretty obvious the Hikari line is taken care of much more diligently than the average Pop trash that’s out there. These two fit right in to my eyes.

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Thanks! I need to get updated photo of this shelf, I've managed to add a Harryhausen Ymir & a Siccaluna Cube "Gillman" Devoro recently too.
So, the retro sci-fi theme is mostly intact. Just a pain to photograph this shelf since it's so high up.

I loathe Funko, but I admit... even I own 2 of these .
They are really fun to look at. I even think the packaging looks pretty good.
But, I'll bet someone here will have an aneurysm to see them mixed with legit sofubi:

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I think they look neat. Seems the battle lines between what was okay to collect and what isn't have faded significantly these days. So many old school toy makers are using different mediums and countries to produce stuff now. It would be pretty difficult to even collect what one single artist does without mixing in some of the Chinese stuff or keshi stuff or resin stuff. It would seem a little silly to love someone's work Like Paul Kaiju or MVH but hate the stuff they do in China at the same time.

I think they look neat. Seems the battle lines between what was okay to collect and what isn't have faded significantly these days. So many old school toy makers are using different mediums and countries to produce stuff now. It would be pretty difficult to even collect what one single artist does without mixing in some of the Chinese stuff or keshi stuff or resin stuff. It would seem a little silly to love someone's work Like Paul Kaiju or MVH but hate the stuff they do in China at the same time.

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Absolutely!
I mean, it wasn't until after I got them that I even noticed they were from Funko (sometime in 2015 I think?)!
Which shows how new I am to collecting because I'm sure that was obvious to everyone else here.
But, it also demonstrates how (at least these 2 examples) really don't have that generic/cheap Funko POP look.
Because, I really did have an existing bias against the piss-poor attempt to cash in on kawaii style Funko Pops implemented.
I'd like to think I have somewhat discerning tastes, so the stylization on the Hikari line seems to have some real care put into it.

Another recent somewhat divisive development was the James Groman/ DC Collectables collaboration.
The figures look amazing, I don't happen to collect that exact thing (lack of money and space mostly) but I love that they exist.
Yet, strict DC Collectables fans seemed utterly baffled by them, some even angry about it? Like whaaa?
And, on the other side, I could pretty much hear the collective eyeballs of vinyl collectors rolling at anything officially licensed.

I kind of get it. There is a rebellious nature to sofubi, licensing almost neuters the attitude a little bit.
Luckily, it seems like DC let James Groman go absolutely bananas, so I didn't really see reason to poopoo the figures.

Anyway, I try not to pick on what other people collect- you resonate with what you like. Pretty simple.
Funko POPS look like landfill fodder to me. I also don't understand most collectables based on human movie characters.
But, if they bring you joy, have fun!

LL!!!
Trust me, I'd be lying if there wasn't always a tiny voice in the back of my brain that whispers "poser" whenever I look at them.
Also, I just need to thank badteethcomics, or whoever coined the term "Fauxfubi", b/c that shit is hilarious and accurate.

Some of the monsters look nice if you're into that chibi look. If I wasn't an autistic little shit when it comes to quality I'd pick one up given the pricepoint. I have a hard time wrapping my head around the same dead eyed humanoid thing they pump out over and over in different colors with different names.

I have a hard time wrapping my head around the same dead eyed humanoid thing they pump out over and over in different colors with different names.

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Indeed, not all pops are born equal but the majority of them are very vanilla. I understand to many on this board they represent the bland commercial 'trendy' end of toy making but some of them pops are pretty cool in my opinion. I've picked up a few second hand and i like them. The Godzilla is cute and very nicely sculpted IMO. I also have a large Titan from Attack on Titan, Animal from the Muppet Show, Lemmy from Motorhead, A Ninja Turtle, Agent Cooper from Twin Peaks, Tron and a few others. Sometimes the black dot eye works in the sculpts favour. I'm not ashamed to admit i have a modest pop collection !!

Totally know what you mean, the dead eyed repetitiveness is such a bore.
But, when they're forced to generate a unique sculpt, they produce at least passable (cheap) items.

For example, the only reason I haven't picked this up is because it's a Pop.
But, this movie doesn't have many collectables, and it's honestly pretty decent looking.
So, if it's not obviously a Pop, I like the look of it, what am I afraid of?

So, if it's not obviously a Pop, I like the look of it, what am I afraid of?

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Yeah mate, that looks cool. I would buy that one if i saw it out and about. Probably the least pop-looking pop i've seen.

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Pop very much started as a platform toy. Same head shape, tiny body, dead eyes, etc. Now with a million diverse licenses it's tough to keep them to that mold. I saw an Alien Queen that I really liked too. On some of these sculpts all that remains from the initial line is they have a big head and they're Pop packaging. It's nice to see that funko branched out a bit of this very constrained specific mold structure.

Oh skullbrain, what have you become? 2006-2013 skullbrain is rolling over in its grave.

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Oh NO! I don't want to anger the vinyl gods
The one caveat I'd have to make before I ever consider displaying a Pop on a shelf: It would need a dope repaint.
The more unique sculpts we're talking about seem like great candidates for customizing, and repainting with love.
Because they're paint aps are tepid garbage. I'd likely try and sand down those horrendous mold seams too.

Oh skullbrain, what have you become? 2006-2013 skullbrain is rolling over in its grave.

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Oh NO! I don't want to anger the vinyl gods
The one caveat I'd have to make before I ever consider displaying a Pop on a shelf: It would need a dope repaint.
The more unique sculpts we're talking about seem like great candidates for customizing, and repainting with love.
Because they're paint aps are tepid garbage. I'd likely try and sand down those horrendous mold seams too.

Is there any vinyl Stay Puft that would fit in with a sofubi collection, better than the burnt version? I specify that one, because the pink/glitter version seems to have slightly more square & squashed proportions. I've seen a "vinyl bank" that I'm assuming has a giant gash in his back. Other than that, I've just seen statues/action figures.

Is there any vinyl Stay Puft that would fit in with a sofubi collection, better than the burnt version? I specify that one, because the pink/glitter version seems to have slightly more square & squashed proportions. I've seen a "vinyl bank" that I'm assuming has a giant gash in his back. Other than that, I've just seen statues/action figures.